Wimmera-Mallee people who get asthma or are prone to hay fever – allergic rhinitis – should visit their doctor or pharmacist in response to the peak spring and thunderstorm season.

That’s the general message National Asthma Council Australia has issued as a general warning.

Ryegrass is prolific across the region and from late September to December is when the amount of ryegrass pollen in the air can significantly increase. Other allergic material such as fungi or dust can also get airborne in spring.

National Asthma Council Strategic Advisor Dr Lyn Roberts said this could be a significant problem because three in four people with asthma also suffered from hay fever. 

“The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a wet end to 2020 for the eastern half of Australia, with wetter-than-average conditions from mid-September until the end of October that could result in above-average grass growth,” she said.

“Hay fever can be caused by triggers such as pollens from grasses, trees or weeds or animal dander, which is very tiny particles of skin that had been shed from animals with fur or feathers. 

“It can cause upper and lower airway inflammation and result in itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, cough, sinus pain and congestion and frequent sore throats.

“But more concerning is that hay fever can lead to an increased risk of serious flare-ups for the 2.78-million Australians with asthma.

“People who are allergic to grass pollens, particularly ryegrass, can have asthma flare-ups caused by springtime thunderstorms, especially if their asthma is not well controlled or they’re not taking regular preventer medication for their asthma.

“Now is a great time to check in with your GP to discuss your asthma treatment, review your asthma action plan, check you are using your inhalers properly and make sure you know what to do during a spring thunderstorm or asthma emergency.”

Dr Roberts said after visiting a GP or pharmacist to talk about asthma and hay-fever control, there are also some simple steps people can take to reduce triggers during spring. These include –

• Checking the pollen forecast and being extra careful on high-pollen days.

• Using your preventer medications as prescribed and keeping your asthma reliever with you.

• Not mowing grass yourself and staying inside when it is being mown. If you must mow, wear a mask.

• Consider planting low-allergen plants in your garden that are pollinated by birds or insects.

On high-pollen days, extra steps might include –

• Checking your inhaler technique.

• Trying to avoid going outdoors.

• Keeping windows closed when in your car and consider using recirculating air-conditioning.

• Keeping windows closed at home and consider using an air purifier.

• Avoiding drying washing on an outside clothesline.

More information on how to manage hay fever and asthma is available on National Asthma Council’s website, www.nationalasthma.org.au.

The entire September 30, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire September 30, 2020 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!